Mission: Friends of the cumbres and toltec scenic railroad is dedicated to the historic preservation, restoration and interpretation of the cumbres and toltec scenic railroad as a living museum. The friends envision another century of narrow gauge steam railroading with the cumbres and toltec scenic railroad being widely recognized as one of the world's premier "living" museums for historic, steam railroad operation, preservation and interpretation and industrial heritage. The friends also envisions the railroad to be the world's best and most popular tourist steam railroad experience. Responsibility for and leadership of the historic preservation and museum functions of the cumbres and toltec scenic railroad will rest with the friends, to be known and respected internationally as the best non-profit, historic railway preservation and museum organization in the world.
Target demographics: Preserve the history, property and rolling stock of narrow gauge mountain railroading along the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - a living and operating museum.
Geographic areas served: 64 Miles of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO.
Programs: Interpretation and restoration - many thousands of people were benefited by the interpretation of the organizations historic property. This is done through the newsletter to libraries and members, and through walking tours guiding visitors through the railyard. Restoration benefits the historic museum collection and it is estimated that close to 100,000 people visit the railyard properties each year. The major portion of the expenses were for various materials to preserve and restore the historic equipment and properties.
The Friends of the C&TS is vitally important to the continued existance of the country's longest and highest remaining narrow-guage railway, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway. The Friends provide both financial resources and volunteer manpower to keep the trains running, and their support of what may be the world's most historically authentic narrow guage railway has kept the line in existance since the line was abandoned by the Denver and Rio Grande in the 1970s. The Friends do all this with very low overhead - a shared passion for preserving this National Historic Landmark is what drives the organization to success.
